Adur District Council public consultation on future of Adur Outdoor Activity Centre

Adur District Council are running a public consultation to seek residents views, thoughts and suggestions (via a short simple survey) about what types of activities they would like to see taking place at the Adur Outdoor Activity Centre in the future.

The Council are committed to getting the centre up and running again and make it a vibrant, multi-purpose activity centre for the community.

Every single response, request, comment and idea will greatly inform the centre's future and their new owners.

Adur Outdoor Activity Centre has been closed since November 2015, when it was forced into voluntary liquidation.  A process is underway to select a new management team and the reopening of the centre in the new year.

The closing dates for all completed surveys is Monday 10th October 2016 and can be found on the Adur & Worthing Councils website  http://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/aoac-survey/.

Councillor Emma Evans, Executive Member for Environment Adur District Council adds “It is vitally important that the local community fill out this survey, so we can best reflect their needs for a vibrant, busy and well used activity centre.  I know that the closure of the AOAC for the past year has been a huge loss to the local community, however the Council are fully committed to opening it as soon as possible, with the best team in place to run it and with a programme of activities the community has asked for.”  

Spofforths Kreston Reeves Extends October Finance Focus Seminars

Further seminars provided on recent business, tax and wealth developments for company directors and financial controllers  

Accountants and financial advisers Kreston Reeves has extended its programme of popular Finance Focus updates, with six seminars taking place across the South East during the month of October.

It’s time to celebrate with Adur & Worthing Business Awards – Nominations Now Open

The Adur and Worthing Business Awards provides a platform to recognise, reward and celebrate all the successful businesses and professional individuals we have in our area. It will enhance your business, encourage your customers and your clients, and energise you to do better. It doesn't cost you anything – except your time and your efforts. 

The awards are now in their ninth year and we are looking for entries from those who can prove business achievement and excellence in their field. Whether that be in growth, innovation or contribution to the community we want to hear from you. You may have a high achiever or team of excellence within your company – why not put them forward for an extra special award?

Nominations close on Friday 30th September You can nominate your own business or another business you would like to shout about. The winners will be announced at a gala black tie dinner held at the Worthing Pavilion on 11th November 2016.

What makes a good entry?

Some top tips to consider when submitting your entry including:

·         Read the rules – carefully

·         Choose your category - carefully

·         Why you should ask for testimonials

·         Nominate others

·         Involve your staff

At our recent breakfast a panel of experts shared their experiences of the Business Awards and their top tips. They all agreed the application process alone makes you look at your business, your performance and involves all your staff. David Carter of ETI said “one of the proudest moments was when one of our employee’s won the young achiever award. The effect this had on the team was immeasurable”. Steve Hobbs of Warnes Project commented “it changed everybody in the company after looking at testimonials from clients and looking back on work achieved. They were all re-energised” Karen Simporis of Henry House agreed the enthusiasm you have for your business is pushed forwards by involving your customers. Phil Duckett from Southern Pavilion said “winning is like eating 5 of your favourite sweets all at the same time!” Use the nomination process to shout about your business and your achievements. Winner or not you should be there to celebrate the night.

Go ahead and do it. Good luck!

If you would like to book for the event or want more details on the Business Awards please visit www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

How can the Business Navigator Service help me?

The Coast to Capital Business Navigator Service is totally focussed on helping business in the Coast to Capital area start –up, develop and grow.  It exists to help grow the economy in the Coast to Capital area – to create jobs and prosperity.  Coast to Capital covers East Surrey, Croydon, West Sussex and the Greater Brighton area.

The Business Navigator service provides a website and a team of business navigators to help you find the best support for your business.  The service is totally free as it is fully funded by the UK Government.

You can call the Navigator Service on 0800 977 4146 to speak with a Business Navigator who can help guide you through the support available and help identify the most appropriate solutions for you.   The website (www.c2cbusiness.org.uk) includes an online directory of business support organisations, a calendar of business events in the Coast to Capital area, resources and videos.

The team signpost businesses to a wide range of support services including:

• accessing finance
• identifying networking and membership organisations
• helping to reduce costs
• implementing environmental policies,
• understanding the regulatory landscape
• mentoring support
• exploring international markets
• start-up workshops and support
• finding premises
• ...and much more

Jonathan Parsons from Brighton based goworkers said "The Business Navigator service has truly been a huge part of goworkers success. The Business Navigator has been with goworkers on every step of the way.

The best thing about the Business Navigator is their understanding of the steps we needed to take and putting us in touch with so many helpful people and organisations along the way. The Business Navigator was able to foresee some of the help that we needed before we even knew we needed it and this is what really made a difference.

We received many referrals for really helpful services from the Business Navigator from business mentoring, workshops and local Government grant schemes that we would never have heard about."

The head lease holder for Brighton City Airport has entered administration

Albemarle Shoreham Ltd bought the airport in 2008 having taken over from Erinaceous Group plc who themselves went into administration. 

Receivers Simon Underwood and David Thurgood of Menzies LLP have been called in to deal with finances, the operator has confirmed.

Brighton City Airport Ltd, who've been managing airside operations since August 2013, say flights will not be affected by the administration.

The Shoreham terminal is one of the busiest in the UK in terms of movements, Shoreham was the 10th busiest airport in the UK in August 2013. 

The airport has a diverse client base including the military, law enforcement, air ambulance, corporate jets, helicopters, flight training schools (attracting students from all over world), private charter companies and the coastguard

Lancing lets loose at Gorilla Circus

Lancing Green was treated to a festival of flying performances last week as Gorilla Circus came to town.

The UK’s only outdoor flying trapeze school put on professional displays to wow crowds of up to 250 people, and opened their doors for the public to have a go.

170 budding thrill-seekers participated in workshops spread over 9 days, getting a unique opportunity to experience a climb three storeys high and learn to swing on the huge flying trapeze rig.

The event was funded by Adur District Council. Cllr Emma Evans, Executive Member for the Environment, said:

“It was fantastic for Lancing to host an event which has captured the imaginations of local residents young and old. The feedback we have received from those who took part has been hugely positive. The opportunity to experience a flying trapeze with the guidance of professionals is not just unique for Adur, but for the country too.”

Running alongside Worthing Theatres ‘Summer of Circus’, the event was timed perfectly on the back of hugely successful Olympic Games for Great Britain. Many of the participants were young budding gymnasts, inspired by Team GB’s historic successes in gymnastics, who described the Gorilla Circus lessons as “incredible” and “inspiring”.

Worthing’s Summer of Circus continues until 17 September. For the latest news and events, visit www.adur-worthing.gov.uk.

Rolls-Royce wins major Chinese contract

Engineering giant Rolls-Royce has secured a $1.5bn (£1.13bn) order from a Chinese airline.

The group will supply its Trent 700 engines for 15 Airbus A330 aircraft in China Eastern Airline's fleet.

The new order is in addition to the 51 Trent 700-powered A330s that the airline already operates.

Paul Freestone (pictured right), senior vice president of Rolls-Royce, said: "China Eastern operates one of the world’s largest A330 fleets, and we are honoured they have selected the Trent 700 again, as it continues to respond to Chinese demand with new levels of service."

China Eastern Airlines also has 20 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft on order, which are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB.

Tang Bing (pictured left), executive vice president of China Eastern Airlines, added: "This aircraft and engine combination continues to be key to our expansion and competitiveness. I look forward to the Trent 700 continuing to deliver outstanding performance and efficiency for our operations."

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Worthing Chamber of Commerce BREXIT speech sparks new business relationship

Tony met Gill over a cuppa at a local business event and the opportunity was perfectly timed.

West Sussex Superfast Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme    

Businesses in West Sussex are invited to apply to a new scheme that supports the installation of superfast broadband.

The West Sussex Superfast Broadband Connection Voucher scheme will help improve connectivity for small and medium enterprises that do not have access to superfast broadband and are based in an area not covered by the planned BDUK superfast infrastructure rollout.

Eligible businesses can apply for a Connection Voucher to provide capital funding of £3,000 or up to 40% of the overall project cost, whichever is lower.  The scheme runs until 1 February 2017 or until all the funding is allocated.

Funding comes from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership under their ‘Growth is Digital’ priority project.  The Connection Voucher scheme has been developed by the Rural West Sussex Partnership, South Downs National Park Authority, Gatwick Diamond Initiative and Coastal West Sussex Partnership with the delivery body, West Sussex County Council.

Coast to Capital Chief Executive, Jonathan Sharrock, says:

“It is essential that our rural businesses have access to superfast and ultrafast broadband using the latest digital technologies. Through our Growth Deal, the West Sussex Superfast Broadband Voucher scheme supports small and medium enterprises with the capital cost of access to superfast connectivity. I urge them to find out more about the scheme.”

Eligible businesses and broadband infrastructure providers are invited to find out more about West Sussex Superfast Broadband Connection Vouchers at a workshop on the afternoon of Friday 9 September 2016 at the South Downs Centre in Midhurst.

To find out more and to register interest in attending the workshop, please email grants@c2cbroadbandgrants.org.uk

More information, including guidance notes and an application form, can be found at http://www.coast2capital.org.uk/helping-business-growth/grant-funding

Asda to sell loss-making photo division

Supermarket giant Asda has agreed to sell its loss-making photo division to a listed group in a deal worth up to £6m.

Photo-Me is to buy the division which consists of 191 photo centres, as well as 172 self-service kiosk sites located in Asda stores.

These businesses will be managed by Photo-Me under a ten-year concession.

As part of the acquisition the employees of the photo division will transfer across to the group.

Serge Crasnianski, chief executive of Photo-Me, said: "This is an interesting opportunity to significantly expand our UK business in a strong set of locations and increase our market share in the digital photo printing market, which we believe has growth potential in the digital age.

"Photo-Me is the leader in its field with a wide range of attractive and innovative products which we plan to introduce into the Asda stores as soon as possible, and we believe will improve the level of trading and overall performance over the next two years and beyond."

The consideration for the photo division is £3.35m, subject to downward adjustment in certain circumstances.

Photo-Me has also agreed to buy the inventory available at each photo centre at the date of completion, as well as central consignment stock, estimated at £2m.

The total consideration to be paid is currently estimated at £5.35m and is capped at a maximum of £6m.

In the calendar year 2015, the photo division generated unaudited sales of circa £19.3m and made an unaudited loss of £3.4m. 

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